Stitch up a Dewey Quilt Block

Skill Level: Beginner

The Dewey quilt block came to my attention as the result of a reader asking for ideas for a block exchange where the finished blocks would read 'red'. (Thanks for asking, Thomasean! This was fun!)

Though a simple block to piece—it's all squares and rectangles—The Dewey block offers several design possibilities depending on the placement of your fabrics.

The three sizes supplied in this tutorial are sized to either showcase 4" machine embroidery designs (the 8" blocks) or large scale prints (the 12" and 16" versions).

The 16" is also 'pre-cut' (Jelly Rolls, Charm Squares and Layer Cakes) friendly.

Let's get started!

With RST, stitch a #4 (frame) patch to a #3 square. Make 12 of these. (Photo below, top)

Press.

With RST, stitch a pair of these units together. Make 6. (Photo above, bottom)

With RST, stitch a #3 square to two of these pairs. Make 2 (see below).  Press. Set aside.

With RST, sew a #3 to a pair. Make 2 (see below). Press.

At this point, you've used up all the #3 and #4 patches.

Layout the center, top and side sewn units and #5 frame patches.

With RST sew the #5 to the strip made from five #3s. Make 2. Press.

In the photo below, I've pinned to keep the edges together evenly. I also like to sew from the side with all the seam allowances to ensure none are flipped and sewn down during stitching.

Press.

With RST, stitch a strip made of three #3s to the left and right sides of the center unit.

Press.

With RST, stitch the top and bottom pieced units to the center. If you have trouble with the frame patches (brown) lining up nicely, go ahead and mark the match point with chalk as shown below.

All that's left is to add the outside framing strips (Patches #6 and #7). First, the side patches (#6) are added. Press.

Stitch a #7 to the top and bottom with RST.

One final pressing, the Dewey quilt block is finished!

From the back you can see that all the seam allowances have been pressed towards the frame (brown) fabrics.

Sashing and borders are cut from the same scrumptious large floral. The cornerstones and binding are cut from the frame fabric.

The two thin borders between the center field and large border help to contain the blocks.

For a more modern looking Dewey quilt block, choose a red and white fabric. Now the frames are the focal point.

Use the Open spaces in the blocks for a machine quilting samplers.

And finally, this Piet Mondrian-inspired take on the design substitutes the white fabric into the frames. Use a white sash and the squares appear to float on the quilt top.

Did you notice?

The white sashing is cut a bit wider to provide some breathing room for this colorful quilt. (I also removed the piecing lines from the blocks so they don't distract from the overall design.)

How will you set your Dewey quilt blocks?

Ready for more?

There's plenty more to keep you busy!

Just check out our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library to find blocks for your next quilting creation!